Dhe new top sprinter Deniz Almas provided a ray of hope at the ghost championships for German athletes. The 23-year-old from VfL Wolfsburg won the 100 meters in Braunschweig on Saturday in a very strong 10.09 seconds.
In the meantime, European champion Gesa Krause missed her sixth title over 3000 meters in front of empty stands. The World Cup third from the club Silvesterlauf Trier had to give up with muscular problems.
“With the 10.08 I had expected very, very good chances. But you have to do it first – and I did it! ”Said the cheering Almas on ARD. The native of the Black Forest had surprised a week ago in Weinheim with 10.08 seconds – the fastest time since Julian Reus’ German record of 10.01 four years ago. The 32-year-old veteran from Erfurt also had to pass Cologne’s Joshua Hartmann (10.23) as third in 10.26.
Spooky atmosphere
In the women’s category, Lisa Marie Kwayie was celebrated as the 100 meter champion for the first time. In the absence of aces like Gina Lückenkemper and Tatjana Pinto, the Berliner was just ahead of Rebekka Haase from Wetzlar (11.34) after 11.30 seconds. “We simply had a lot more time during the Corona period – and we made good use of it. I’m so happy! ”Said Kwayie.
Lots of music and announcements from loudspeakers, starting shots, the clatter of hurdles and the applause of a few supervisors – otherwise: silence! In a ghostly atmosphere, the athletes fought for titles in the Eintracht Stadium. Strong times and expanses were largely absent on the first day after the difficult months of training in the Corona crisis.
“That is of course unpleasant. It wasn’t my day today and it didn’t go smoothly from the start, ”said Gesa Krause, who surprisingly got out after about 2000 meters. “It’s hard for me to put into words. This is of course a big disappointment at first. ”She also couldn’t cope with the heat. Krause had campaigned for the medium and long distances to be included in the program, although there is sometimes a crowd and the distance rules cannot be adhered to.
Elena Burkard from LG farbtex Nordschwarzwald landed a debut victory in 9: 50.31 minutes. “Incredible. I had a tough last year, now I’m all the more happy that it worked out today, ”she said.
The competitions took place for the first time in their more than 100-year history without spectators and under strict hygiene regulations. The referees had to wear mouth and nose protection, the athletes were only allowed to enter the arena in specified time slots and on marked paths and the starting fields were reduced. The German Athletics Association (DLV) had received approval from the authorities for the event with a 45-page concept.
Former decathlon star Frank Busemann also found the atmosphere at the 120th title fights more than unusual. “I was prepared for it, it’s our only chance, that’s why I think that’s good here,” said the 45-year-old ARD expert from the German press agency. “But just the first 400-meter hurdles: dead silence! So quiet, that was kind of eerie. “
Matthias Bühler made a brilliant comeback over the 110 meter hurdles. The 33-year-old from TV Haslach had already ended his career in 2018 and concentrated on his job as an IT specialist. In 13.62 seconds he won his seventh title sweit 2010. “DM title – a dream! My big dream is Tokyo, I live this sport like hardly anyone else, ”he said with great enthusiasm.
There was no usual award ceremony with much applause for Bühler either: all medal winners and those placed had to collect their plaques and certificates from the competition office.
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